IAMA is a Worldwide Leadership Forum...
Bringing together top food and agribusiness executives, academics, policy makers students and stakeholders to network and stimulate strategic thinking across the global food, fiber, fuel, floral and forestry systems.

IAMA is Dedicated to...
An efficient food system that is sensitive to the needs of consumers, safe, environmentally responsive and has a high level of business integrity.

IAMA was formed in 1990 to stimulate strategic thinking across the full spectrum of the food chain. Today, IAMA serves as an effective worldwide networking organization and acts as a functional bridge between the agribusiness industry, researchers, educators, government, consumer groups and non-governmental organizations. IAMA provides high quality, value-added products and services to meet the needs of our members, and addresses the many challenges and opportunities facing food chain participants through leadership and innovation. IAMA’s members are stakeholders in the success of the organization through their involvement in volunteer networks and program activities.

Program planning, development, and implementation within IAMA is accomplished through five Task Groups. These groups provide planning and development for the annual Forum and other special projects, set research and educational program priorities, and write articles that are shared with the IAMA membership through the Chain Letter. Membership in the Task Groups is voluntary and communication is accomplished through email, the IAMA Website and meetings at the annual Forum.

The core focus areas of IAMA are:

• Education and Knowledge Transfer
• Effective Food Chain Management
• Food Safety and Quality
• Contribution of Technology to Supply Chains
• Economic and Social Development

Who are the members of IAMA?

IAMA has over 700 members in more than 50 countries, consisting of:

• Leading business executives from the global food chain
• University Departments, Libraries, Researchers, Educators, Administrators and Students
• Research Personnel from Public and Private Institutions
• National and International Policymakers
• Non-Governmental Organizations and Consumer Groups

How is IAMA governed?

Incorporated as an international non-profit educational organization, IAMA is financed by member dues and corporate sponsorships. The association is administered by an Executive Director, who reports to a multi-national Board of Directors, which is representative of the membership. The IAMA Business Office is located in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University, and is managed by a Business Manager.

What are the benefits of membership?

Industry

• Unique opportunity to network with the world’s foremost business, academic, government and consumer representatives in an environment conducive to thoughtful and open exchange.
• Exchange views, develop strategies and evaluate the impact of changes taking place throughout the integrated food chain.
• Opportunity to establish priorities in the development and direction of the global food system.
• Interactive forum to evaluate the impact of modern technology and life sciences on business strategies in the food chain.

Academia

• Access to the latest thinking on business issues and management strategies as articulated by the world’s leading food industry executives.
• Interaction and communication with academic, industry and government colleagues in food and agribusiness programs throughout the world.
• Opportunity to influence the development and direction of the global food system through participation in conferences, task groups, executive development programs and professional training programs.
• Opportunity to publish articles in the IFAMR, a premier publication outlet for food and agribusiness research, and the Chain Letter, IAMA’s quarterly newsletter.

Government

• Access to a neutral platform for discussion with industry and academic representatives.
• Opportunity to test ideas and policies with industry and research experts and to obtain fresh ideas and information from the private sector.

NGOs & Consumer Groups

• Opportunity to interact with academic, business and government leaders and discuss important food and agribusiness issues.
• Access to the most authoritative information on food quality, food production and manufacturing practices, and the food industry’s approach to connecting product values with social values.
• Opportunity to interact with researchers on consumer and social studies related to the global food chain.

Students

• Opportunity to interact with agribusiness executives, government officials and leading academics.
• Access to travel assistance (awarded on a competitive basis) to attend the World Food and Agribusiness Forum, Symposium and Case Conference.
• Source of relevant and timely subjects for research.
• Opportunity to network with potential employers.

Association Events

World Food & Agribusiness Forum, Symposium and Case Conference

The Forum is an interactive series of presentations and discussions by top executives and researchers focused on timely issues impacting the global food chain. Diverse program themes and interaction with key agribusiness leaders enhances the sharing of information and identification of research issues.

The Symposium utilizes paper presentations, discussion sessions and poster displays to provide an intellectual foundation for discussions that take place at the Forum.

The Case Conference is directed at a broad audience of professionals who are interested in developing effective agribusiness cases and using them as learning tools.

Executive Education Caucus

The executive education caucus is intended for middle management personnel who have at least five years experience in a management track in a food or agribusiness company and have been identified by senior management as potential candidates for future top level management positions. The goal of the program is to provide a broad, global view of issues, perspectives and management strategies.

Seminars and Workshops

IAMA regularly organizes or jointly hosts special programs focused on various aspects of the food chain

Publications

International Food & Agribusiness Management Review (IFAMR)

The IFAMR publishes high quality contributions on topics related to the practice of management in the food and agribusiness industry. The Review provides managers, researchers and teachers with a forum where they can publish and acquire research results, executive interviews, case studies and industry notes that are important to the global food chain.

IFAMR Public Archive
Editorial Philosophy and Guidelines for Contributors

Chain Letter

The Chain Letter is a quarterly newsletter containing current events associated with the global food chain, information about upcoming conferences, implications of research and analysis of current events.

Submissions to the Chain Letter are encouraged, and should be submitted via email to the IAMA Business Office in Microsoft Word format. Submissions should be no more than 1,000 words in length. If you have questions regarding a submission, please contact Dr. Jerome Siebert, Executive Director, at: iama@tamu.edu

IAMA Website

The IAMA Website is the central location for information and publications related to the organization. All issues of the Chain Letter and IFAMR can be found on the website along with position announcements, conference proceedings, a calendar of events, and links to food and agribusiness programs. The member’s section of the website offers exclusive access to a searchable membership database, recent publications, a discussion area and postings from members.

Annual Report

2003 IAMA Annual Report

2004 IAMA Annual Report